Response analysis for identifying the origin of photo-modulated current contrasts in scanning tunneling microscopic imaging semiconductor surfaces

Inhomogeneities in semiconductor solids can be imaged by two-dimensional mapping of the amplitude of periodically modulated tip current in scanning tunneling microscopy that is induced by illumination of semiconductor samples with a chopped light. It has been shown that it is possible to distinguish between plural origins of the photo-modulated current by analyzing the response properties of the current signal. A judicial choice of the modulation frequency is important for the required contrasts to be obtained.     

Viscoelastic behavior of poly(butyl methacrylate) densely grafted on silica nanoparticles

A series of poly(butyl methacrylate)s (PBMAs) with various molar masses (33 000–270 000 g mol^?1), which were densely grafted on fumed silica nanoparticles (PBMA–SiO₂), were synthesized by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The dynamic viscoelastic behavior of PBMA–SiO₂ was systematically investigated in the solid and molten states with oscillatory strains, and compared to that of a conventional nanocomposite (PBMA/SiO₂). The storage moduli of PBMA–SiO₂ and PBMA/SiO₂ are equivalent in the solid state, whereas the storage modulus of PBMA–SiO₂ is lower than that of PBMA/SiO₂ in the molten state, especially at high silica loading. This is because the formation of a network structure composed of the silica nanoparticles in PBMA–SiO₂ is strongly suppressed by the polymer brushes on the particles. In contrast, even at low silica loading, the PBMA–SiO₂ system exhibits a gel‐like behavior resulting from a steric repulsion between the composite particles, because all of the tethered polymers behave as bound polymers. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Isotope 18O/16O ratio measurements of water vapor by use of the 950-nm wavelength region with cavity ring-down and photoacoustic spectroscopic techniques

Two optical methods, cavity ring-down spectroscopy and photoacoustic spectroscopy, are applied to the measurement of the isotope ratio 18O/16O in water-vapor samples with a Nd3+:YAG pumped-dye laser. The combination band of (2v1 + v3) in the 960-nm region of water molecules is investigated for two standard water samples, the Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water and the Standard Light Antarctic Precipitation. The results demonstrate that the two methods have the potential of compact systems for in-situ measurements of H2O isotope ratio in the environment.     

Covalently cross-linked multilayer thin films composed of diazoresin and brilliant yellow for an optical pH sensor

The multilayered thin films composed diazoresin (DR) and brilliant yellow (BY) were fabricated by a layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition technique, and the ionic bonds between diazonium ion in DR and sulfonate residues in BY were converted to covalent bonds by UV light irradiation. The cross-linking between BY and DR prevented BY from desorption even in a pH 13 solution. The cross-linked (DR/BY)₁₀DR film exhibited pH-dependent absorption spectra in pH 9-13, and the response was repeatable and quick. The pH response time of the films was within a few seconds upon change from pH 9.0 to 13.0, and ca. 40 s upon change from pH 13.0 to 9.0.     

Substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerve fibers in the nasal mucosa of chronically hypoxic rats

Changes made in 1997 and 1998 in the U.S. childhood immunization schedule are discussed, with a focus on the use of poliovirus, pertussis, and combination vaccines. Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), the vaccine of choice for all four doses in the polio immunization series since 1962, can cause vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP). The inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) has not been associated with VAPP but must be administered by injection and provides inferior intestinal immunity. With the reduced threat of poliovirus importation into the United States, the risk of VAPP, although low, has become less acceptable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention accordingly recommended a shift from OPV to IPV in the childhood immunization schedule for the United States, effective January 1997. A sequential OPV and IPV series is recommended, but the schedule includes an OPV-only option, which may be preferred in order to avoid the required injections, and an IPV-only option, which is recommended for immunocompromised persons and their contacts. Concern over local and systemic reactions associated with whole-cell pertussis vaccines, in addition to controversy over a possible relationship between the whole-cell vaccine and neurologic damage, has led to the development of new diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine products for use in the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis immunization series. Several combination products were licensed in 1997, and more are on the way. This will mean fewer inoculations for children. Increased use of IPV and acellular pertussis products could reduce the frequency of VAPP due to OPV and the local and systemic reactions associated with whole-cell pertussis vaccine.     

The influence of mash pre-aging on the development of the flavour-active compound, 4-hydroxy-2(or5)-ethyl-5(or2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (HEMF), during soy sauce fermentation

Inoculation of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii into a soy sauce mash free from lactic acid bacteria at 10⁶ cells mL⁻¹ resulted in the formation of the flavour-active compound HEMF over a number of days at 30°C. Delays in inoculation up to 14 days after production of the mash greatly increased the amount of HEMF formed and under some conditions concentrations in the commercial range were achieved without addition of any other microorganisms.     

Infective endocarditis with a huge mitral vegetation related to atopic dermatitis and high serum level of infection-related antiphospholipid antibody: a case report]

A 24-year-old woman with atopic dermatitis was admitted to our hospital with fever. Echocardiography showed a huge vegetation attached to the posterior mitral commissure without mitral valve dysfunction. Blood culture identified methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The serum level of antiphospholipid antibody was elevated. A splenic infarction occurred on the second hospital day. Surgery to resect the residual mobile vegetation was performed uneventfully on the 6th hospital day. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged after 4 weeks of antibiotic therapy. Preservation of the mitral valve is rare in the face of virulent Staphylococcus infection and the presence of a huge mobile vegetation. These findings were apparently related to the high serum level of infection-related antiphospholipid antibody and atopic dermatitis.     

Built-in folded monopole antenna for handsets

A built-in folded monopole antenna for handsets (BFMA) is introduced and investigated. The characteristics of the BFMA are compared with those of a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA), which is one of the conventional handset antennas. As a result, it has been confirmed that the BFMA has smaller size and wider bandwidth compared with the PIFA.